Book-smart mobile phone

The Readius from Polymer Vision is part e-book reader, part mobile phone. Using e-ink technology, reading off its screen feels very much like handling real paper. We caught up with the people from this Netherlands-based company and came off with some impressions of the Readius. Read on for the full lowdown.

» Mobile World Congress 2008 show report

Taking a walk with a Google Android prototype

Google's Android platform has emerged as one of the sleeper hits of the GSMA World Congress in Barcelona. Though it exists only in prototype, show attendees are flocking to the Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and ARM booths were demos are available.

The TI booth was was packed to the gills when I passed by so I headed to the ARM booth instead. There, I got a short demonstration of a prototype. As my colleague Maggie Reardon reports, there's not a lot to say at this point. The welcome screen featured a plain black background with a series of generic icons along the bottom. The icons open features like the Web browser, calendar, messaging, Gmail access and Google Maps. The main menu page was also pretty basic; just a series of icons on the same black background. Remember that since Android will be a open platform, the design will vary by developer.

And in any case, there's no knowing what it will look like in its final form. I can say, however, that with a 200Mhz processor, the prototype was pretty speedy. Check it out for yourself in our Google Android video.

Via CNET Crave

» Mobile World Congress 2008 show report

Toshiba's 4-in-1 device just looks weird

Note to Toshiba: Different doesn't always mean better. Judging from the photos of its G450 phone, we wouldn't be surprised if the company has hired some of NEC's batty designers.

It's got the oddest-looking keys we've seen since the triangles of Nokia's Prism line, but not because of their shape--it's their positions, divided into two circular number pads. Then again, maybe it's not really classified as a phone at all; Toshiba is marketing the G450 in the UK as a 4-in-1 gadget that performs as an MP3 player, USB flash drive, and high-speed modem as well as a mobile handset, according to OhGizmo.

You'd think they'd want to conserve space instead of having two keypads, given that the whole device is only 3.8 inches long. But if they were going to go through all that trouble, couldn't they have thrown in a camera, e-book, and DVR, too?

Via Crave CNET

WildCharger keeps plugging away

The WildCharger was met with some skepticism when it was announced more than a year ago because it sounded too good to be true. The rollup pad promised to charge various devices simultaneously, regardless of type or brand.

But its manufacturer, appropriately named WildCharge, continues to prove its critics wrong by releasing new adapters compatible with more products. The latest of them will work with the iPhone, iPod, second-generation nano, and two BlackBerry models (the Pearl and 8800), according to Gizmodo.

The adapters still need to be placed on the back of the devices, which can then be charged when placed on the flexible mat. WildCharge has long hoped that the receivers could be integrated directly into their devices, but that would likely be a vastly complicated endeavor involving multiple companies, technologies, licensing, and standards. In other words, don't hold your breath.

Via Crave CNET

Feeling Samsung's Soul

One of the main features of Samsung's latest Ultra Edition handset is the navigation button under the screen. Well, technically, you can't really call it a button because it doesn't depress, but is instead a touch-sensitive panel with a screen beneath it. Samsung dubs it the Magic Touch by DaCP.

When at the default Home screen, the four-way navigator shows shortcut icons that will bring you to the messaging, ringtones, music and Google apps. The center lets you get to the main menu. Once in the main menu, the center turns into an OK button, while the four around it become arrows for navigation. We further tried this out in the music player and calculator apps and found it to be very helpful for navigation. The concept is not new, of course, and you may find it similar to the Optimus sold by Russian design firm Art Lebedev, a keyboard with keys that have an OLED display each so they can display appropriate icons aside from the letters in the QWERTY layout.

Even though the navigator doesn't depress, there is feedback in the form of a tiny vibration whenever it is touched. This lets you know if you've managed to successfully "press" the button. It works pretty well and certainly alleviates some of the misgivings we have about touch-sensitive buttons.

On the form factor front, we have to say that this device feels very well-built. The metallic finish feels good in the hands and the slider moves up and down smoothly. Its numeric keypad is flush with the inner surface, but the keys are pretty well spaced-out and don't fare any poorer than most other mobile phones with slide-out keypads.

Check out some of our pictures of the Magic Touch.



»  Mobile World Congress 2008 show report

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